SLFP-men issue death threat to journalists in Mannaar

[TamilNet, Monday, 16 July 2012, 19:39 GMT]Two newspaper reporters in Mannaar have complained to Tamil Journalists Association in Vanni that ruling SLFP-men have issued death threats to them for their reporting on inciting violence at Koanthaip-piddi jetty on Friday. An armed Muslim gang incited a section of the Muslims after Jummah Prayer to join them in causing destruction to the boats of uprooted Tamil Catholics while the dispute between communities was being already addressed by the civil officials at divisional and district level.

Two journalists, S.R. Lambert and ASM Faszmi have complained that they have been issued death threats, Tamil media sources in Colombo said.

Meanwhile, informed sources in Mannaar told TamilNet that the men who have issued death threats are closely connected to SL minister of Industry & Commerce, Rishard Badurdeen,

The same gang that destroyed the boats on Friday, confronted one of the journalists, S.R. Lambert, while he was at the site of the incident witnessing the episode, the sources further said.

The other journalist, subjected to death threat, is a Muslim.

Two months ago, another Muslim journalist, 72-year-old MA Cader, who expressed solidarity with thousands of civilians who had gathered for a prayer expressing solidarity with Mannaar Bishop, was assaulted by a close-relative and an employee of Rsihard Badurdeen. The senior journalist was forcibly put into a pickup vehicle and attacked. The attack was reported after The SL Minister Badurdeen had issued veiled threats against Mannaar Bishop during a speech in the SL Parliament.